The Effective vs. the Effectual Christian

Ephesians 3:7; Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Effective vs. Effectual

A prepositional phrase modifies the verb or noun in a sentence. The prepositional phrase in question here is, “by the effectual working of his power.” What does it modify? “Was made a minister.” Right? Hmmm. This brings up an interesting point.

Paul was made a minister by getting effectual results according to the working of God’s power. Who operated the power? Paul did. We know this by that wonderful word, effectual”. Effectual is different then the word effective. Effective is defined as, to bring about a result. Effectual is different. It means to bring about the “desired” result. (**Great word-study by the way)

So why am I hung up on one word? To understand the difference between Paul’s walk and other believers. We mimic effectual believers, not effective believers. By Paul continuing to learn and practice it got him to the point of desired results with God’s power. In fact, he was known far and wide for his miracles, signs, and wonders. All of Asia heard the Word in a span of two years! This hasn’t happened in any time since Paul’s Ministry. What made him that potent? Here was a man whose religious biases should have kept him from accomplishing anything for God. He wasn’t, as a pharisee, supposed to even talk to a Gentile, much less minister to them! How did he do it? What gave him that effectual edge?

Paul was delivered then taught others how

Phil. 4:13; Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling fo God in Christ Jesus.

Is your past keeping you from effectual results with God? I urge you today to put your past behind you. Be thankful that God has great things in store for your future!

Here is a blog post from the Ephesians study that I thought I could use today. I’ve added quite a few more links to the Ephesians page in our website today and will continue until I’ve linked all of them. Until then, here’s a sample of the study. Keep checking the page for more links. If you’re reading one a day or more you’ll have at least sixty by the end of today.
God Bless!